“The boys are back in town,” sing Thin Lizzy over the PA, by way of introduction – but actually, this joyous outdoor gig marks this indie-rock supergroup’s first UK performance. Founded by three solo singer-songwriter pals – the Tennessee-born Julien Baker, Californian Phoebe Bridgers and Richmond, Virginia’s Lucy Dacus – Boygenius embody camaraderie, goofing around and strength in female numbers. Their name cocks a snook at how greatness is still disproportionately ascribed to men, and their offering packs a lot of playful snark.
The three principals have gigged here before individually, but never as Boygenius; it’s also the biggest headline show the band have ever played anywhere. Boygenius have sold out this west London park to the tune of 25,000 tickets (the lineup also features Muna, Ethel Cain and Soak), a feat that follows their UK No 1 album, The Record, released back in March. At the start of the year, Rolling Stone put them on their US cover, styled like Nirvana’s cover shoot from January 1994, calling them “the supergroup we need”.
